Apparatus and method for controlled width extrusion of filamentary curtain

Abstract

The invention provides a method for controlling the width of a plurality of extruded filaments comprising providing a polymer supply and an extrusion die comprising a plurality of extrusion capillaries and a plurality of counterbores allowing fluid communication between the extrusion capillaries and polymer supply, providing an adjustable insert for interrupting fluid communication between the polymer supply and at least one extrusion capillary, providing at least one fluidized polymer, conveying the polymer through the polymer supply, counterbores and extrusion capillaries to extrude a plurality of filaments, and interrupting the fluid communication between the polymer supply and at least one extrusion capillary by adjusting the insert. An apparatus for extruding filaments is also provided, comprising an extrusion die, polymer supply, extrusion capillaries, counterbores allowing fluid communication between the capillaries and polymer supply, and an adjustable insert for interrupting fluid communication between the polymer supply and at least one extrusion capillary.

1. An apparatus for extruding filaments, said apparatus comprising:
 a) an extrusion die; 
 b) a polymer supply in fluid communication with said extrusion die; 
 c) a plurality of extrusion capillaries in said extrusion die; 
 d) a plurality of counterbores in said extrusion die allowing fluid communication between said capillaries and said polymer supply; 
 e) an adjustable insert for interrupting said fluid communication between said polymer supply and at least one of said extrusion capillaries; and wherein said insert is a rod having a substantially circular cross section, a diameter and a length, said rod having at least a first portion and a second portion along said length, said first portion having at a plurality of spaced apart locations a single hole through said diameter, and said second portion having at a plurality of spaced apart locations at least two holes through said diameter. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a second adjustable insert for interrupting said fluid communication between said polymer supply and at least one of said extrusion capillaries, wherein said second adjustable insert is a rod having a substantially circular cross section, a diameter and a length, said rod having at least a first portion and a second portion along said length, said first portion having at a plurality of spaced apart locations a single hole through said diameter, and said second portion having at a plurality of spaced apart locations at least two holes through said diameter.